Sahitya Akademi to hold transgender literary meet in Kolkata

Kolkata, June 19 (IANS) In a bid to bring creativity of transgenders to the fore, Sahitya Akademi, India’s National Academy of Letters, would hold the first-ever literary meet for transgender writers in Kolkata next month, a member of the event’s advisory committee said.

However, the Bengal government does not have any role in organising the unique literary meet.

“This is not a state government programme. It is being organised by the Sahitya Akademi. It is an unique initiative to bring the writings of transgender writers to light,” Manabi Bandyopadhyay, who is also the first transgender college principal in the country, told IANS.

“I am a part of the advisory body. So when I was contacted by the Sahitya Akademi official here about the programme, I provided him with the names of some transgender poets and their writings,” she said adding that the venue and other details of the event are still being discussed at an official level.

Describing literary meet as a powerful platform for the sexually marginalised community to display their creative flair, she said many members of the community want to prove themselves in society.

“As a member of the transgender community, I think the academicians, writers and creative persons among us want to prove that we also have an imagination and creativity. We also have dreams. Sahitya Akademi is big platform. So I think it is a good opportunity for us to prove ourselves,” she added.